Explosive devices



Search Room I.. P. BARLOW.

AERIAL BOMB. APPLICATION FILED AmIs. Ism.

CROSS REFERENCE Patented Oct. 14, 12H9.

2 SHEETS-SHEE l.

INvIiNToR- .Search Hmm Patented Oct. 14,1919.

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V be dropped or launched from an aeroplane.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIoE.

LESTER P.IBA1'\.LOW, 0F NEW HAVEN, CONNECTIGUT, ASSIGNOR TO MABLIN-ROCKWELL CORPORATION, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

AERIAL BOMB.

To all 'whom z't may concern:

Be it known that I, LESTER P. BARLow, a' citizen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county of New Haven andl State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Aerial Bombs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to aerial bombs or the like explosive bodies which are adapted to My' invention is applicable to the type of devices disclosed in my application Serial No. 98,7 37,' aerial torpedo, ledMay 20, 1916, in which the explosive charge is fired at a fixed distance `4above the earth or other target by the operation of a firing device carried at the forward end of a pilot or tube which extends forwardly from the casing of the bomb after the same has been launched. In that application means are disclosed whereby the detonator is forced into operative position, and the pilot device or forwardly-extending tube is caused to extend forwardly into its operative position,

-,after an appreciable time interval has elapsed, after the release of the bomb from an aeroplane. In my present invention a different form of means is provided for causing the detonator and forward extrudement to assume their operative positions at the end of a suitable time interval after the bomb has been launched, the present means being exceedingly simple vand effective. My invention also comprlses a construction of bomb or other like explosive device which mayl readily be assembled and taken' apart, so that the same may be shipped in knockeddown condition. My invention is also applicable to the operation of bombs or other explosive shells of devices different from that described in my previous application referred to, in which it is desirable to cause the detonator to be moved, or other arts to be moved, after the bomb or she been started in its flight, in order that the same may arm itself after its flight has started.

Briefiy, my invention provides 4means whereby the detonator and forwardly-extending tube are caused to move by means of air pressure which is released from a container after the bomb has been launched,

has

Patented oct. 14, i919.

191e. seriai No. 229,250.

the air being caused to pass through a restricted opening into a chamber of iixed dimensions, and thereinto gradually increase in pressure against thel detonator, through a time interval, until means retaining the detonator in its inoperative position ,are overcome, whereupon the detonator is moved has been overcome after an appreciable interval.

In order that a. clearer my invention may be had, attention is hereby directed to the accompanying' drawings .forming partof this application and illustrating one embodiment of my invention. In the drawings Figure l represents a side elevation of an aerial bomb, during its descent, Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section 'through the upper part of the bomb, Fig. 3

is an enlarged vertical section taken through the lower part ofthe bomb, the forwardly extensible pilot or telescoping tulbe being shown as carried within the bodyof the bomb, and Fig. 4 is a horizontal cross-section taken on line 44 of Fig. 2.

VThe bomb illustrated is provided with a-magazine or explosive chamber portion, represented generally by the reference character l, from which the telescoping tube or pilot device, represented generally by fthe reference character 2, is adapted to be 'ex'- trudedduring the descent of the bombr A stream line portion, by the reference character 3, extends rearwardly from the explosive chamiber section 1. The stabilizing vanes 4, 4 are carried understanding of represented generally iur. anlwiuwi am aan EXPLOSIVE DEVICES at a safe distanceto the rear of the ma a zine section 1 until the bomb has droppe a predetermined distance, that is, until a predetermined time interval has elapsedvafter the dropping of the bomb. The tube 5 referred to may be removably secured to a tube 7 which is a part of the structure of magazine section 1. As shown, the tube 7- extends a short distance to the rear of the rear closure member 8 of the magazine section and is provided at its extreme rear end with screw-threads 9, to which the lower end of the tube 5 may be threaded.

The detonator 10 is normally mounted adjacent the rear end of tube 5' and is supported therein by any convenient means which is adapted to be overcome when suflicient pressure is exerted thereon. Such a connection might be a shearing pin of soft copper or the like securing the detonator to the tube 5, or it might be a device, such the friction washer 11, which is illustrated as being secured to the rear end of the detonator by the cap 12. The form of detonator illustrated has a substantially solid cylindrical body 13 provided with a peripheral recess, .in which the detonating material 14 is supported, this form of detonator being described in my application Serial No. 150,712, filed February 24, 1917. This form of detonator, howevei, is here shown merely for the purpose of illustration and, other forms may be used in practising my invention, if desired. The lower end of the detonator is recessed out, as illustrated, and is provided with a c'ap 15 connected by a passage 16 with the detonating material 14. A tube 17 is secured to the detonator so as to move therewith, by providing the upper end of the tube with screwthreads and screwing the same into corresponding screwthreads formed within the recessed portion at the lower end of the detonator.

The cylindrical member 6 which extends rearwardly from tube 5 is preferably sccured thereto by providing tube 6 with an enlarged lower portion 18 having a screw threaded bore whereby tube 6 may be screwthreaded to the threaded upper portion 19 of tube 5. A container 20 for compressed air or the like is mounted within tube 6. Preferably, container 20 is soldered or otherwise secured to the upper surface of a cylindrical block. 21 which is screw-threaded into the lower portion of tube 6 just above the enlargement 18. Block 21 is provided with an opening 22 of small sectional area extending therethrough to connect the space surrounding container 20 with the space above the detonator and below block 2l. Container 20 should be sufficiently strong to withstand'the ressure of air or other gas contained under a .considerable pressure, such, for example. as one thousand pounds per` square inch. The container should also be adapted to contain asuicient 'amount of compressed air to perform the operations hereafter to be described. i

Tube 6 is provided at its extreme rear end with a right angled tubular extension 23. A plunger 24 is mounted to the rear of the compressed gas container 20 and carries perforating point 25 extending forwardly therefrom and adapted to perforate the container 20 wliendriven thereagainst with sufcap 28. The space immediately to the rear of plunger 24 is lled with any desired explosive material 29, with which cap 28 is connected by the assage 30 extending through cap holder 2 'The cap holder preferably is removably Amounted 1n position by providing the same, with screw-threads and screwing it into a suitable screw-threaded bore at the upper endof tube 6 until the forwarder inner edge of the -cap holder comes in contact with the shoulder 31 of the tubular extension 23. The walls of tube 6 are illustrated as thickened to the rear of' the normal position of plunger 24 to form a seat 32 againstwhich the rear ofthe plunger may rest, a gasket 33 preferably being provided to make the seat air-tight.

Firing pin 34 is carried by a plunger 35, slidably mounted in the tubular extension 23, this plunger being pressed toward the cap 28 by a spring 36 which is compressed between the plunger 35 and the screw-cap 37 mounted to close the end of tubular extension 23. Plunger 35 is retained in the position shown by means adapted to be withdrawn when the bomb is launched from an aeroplane. This means is illustrated as a wire 38 shown extending through opposite walls of the tubular extension 234 and the plunger 35 contained therein. Wire B8 is intended to be secured to the aeroplane so that it will be withdrawn from tube 23 and plunger 35 at the moment when the bomb is launched from the aeroplane. This may be accomplished, Yfor example, in-the manner described in my application Serial No.

strike cap 28 to re the explosive material 29, which results in breaking the weak binding connection between screw 26 and plunger 24. The latter is accordingly driven violently downward to cause pin 25 to perforate container 20 and release the compressed air therein. The action of the compressed air upon issuing from container 20 is to force plunger 24 rearwardly into engagement with gasket 33 and seat 32 to close the opening at this end. The air thereupon passes through passage 22 in block 21 and gradually increases the pressure in the chamber 39, situated between block 21 and the rear end of the detonator. Pressure will continue to increasein chamber 39 through a period of time, which depends upon the cross-sectional area of passage 22, the size of chamber 39, the pressure of the air within tube 6 and the strength of the frictional supporting means 11 for the detonator. When the pressure in chamber 39 has become sufficient, the resistance of the binding means 11 will be overcome and the detonator forced forwardly'in tube 5 `into its operative position. The detonator may be given a sliding fit in tube 5.

The detonator may be provided-with a passage 40 extending from its upper surface to the interior of tubel'? threaded to the lower'end of the detonator. This passage may be of less cross-sectional area than passage 22, and air passes therethrough during the time'that pressure is being-built up in chamber 39 and while the detonator is being forced downwardly into its operative position.

The construction of the magazine section l of' the bomb, the forward extrudement or telescoping tubes 2 and means for exploding the detonator when the firing mechanism atthe forward end of the tube 2 strikes a target may be the same as was described in my prior application Serial No. 98,737, above referred to. The tube 7, which, as stated, is an extension of tube 5, extends into the magazine chamber 1, which is provided with an outer casing 41, 42, containing the bursting charge of high explosive material 43. A stationary tube 44 extends rearwardly from the forward end of the casing which is provided with a suitable opening in which tube 44 is secured. Tube 44 is provided with an inwardly extending bearing ring 45 having a rearwardly extending portion offset inwardly from tube 44 to provide an annular space in which the lower end of tube 7 is secured, so that tubes 5, 7 and 44 are all fixedly secured together and to the outer casing 41, 42. The booster chamber 46 of any de sired construction issecured to the rear end of tube 44 and provided with a rear closure member 8 which is secured to casing member 41 to close the rear end of the explosive chamber and to form a cross support for the tubes i 44, 7 and 5 and the booster frame.

T he

booster contains a booster charge of high ex plosive material 47. When the detonator 1 s forced downwardly by the air pressure, as desc-ribed.'the lower edge 48 of the detonator comes into contact with the upper edge of ring 45 when the detonator is in firing position, at which time the rdetonating material 14'car1ied 'by the detonator will be alined with the explosive material 47 in the booster chamber. If desired, a gap may be provided in tube 7 to be alined with the detonating material 14 of the detonator when the latter is in firing position, this gap being closed by a weak closure 49. With the -type of detonator illustrated, however, the wall of tube 7 will be shattered and the booster charge 47 detonated when the detonating material 14 is fired, even if the tube 7 is an ordinary steel tube of sufficient strength for the purpose and not provided with any gap4 such as referred to above. f

The tube 17, which is secured at its upper end to the detonator, as stated, has a sliding fit within the bearing vring 45, which, as stated above, is secured to tube 44. A sleeve 50 is secured within tu'be 17 and is provided on its lower end with an enlargement 51 forming a shoulder against which the forward end of tube 17 aburts. A sliding ring 52 is positioned between the inner surface of the fixed tube-44 and the outer surface of tube 17, this ring being adapted to bear against the shoulder formed by the enlar ement 5l at the forward end of sleeve 50, t e rear surface of ring 52 bearing against the fixed ring 45 when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 3.

An inner tube 53 is adapted to have a sliding fit inside tube 17, this tube having a ring 54 screw-threaded thereto at its rear end to slidingly engage within tube 17. This tube 'also has sliding engagement within sleeve 50 and is provided with a peripheral shoulder 55 against which the forward edge of the enlargement 51 of sleeve 50 is adapted to engage. Tube 53 is screw-threaded at its forward end into a suitable axial opening inl the cylindrical block 56, which is mounted with a sliding fit in tube 44 adjacent the forward end thereof. A split ringr 57 is mounted directly in front of block 56 and the parts are normally held in place by` a solid block 58 which is frictionally engaged within the extreme end of tube 44 to close the opening. A stop ring 59 is secured within tube 44 immediatel;v to the rear of block 56.

A riiie cartridge 60, having a bullet 61 extending rearwardly therefrom, both of fiamma-:sow AND t ExPloslvE DEVICES l thebreech 'block of the mechanism. Sliding member 63 is provided with a forwardly extending stem 65 having a forward enlargement 66 which may be termed the hammer head of the firing mechanism, stem 65 extending forwardly into the split ring 57, and the hammer head 66 being carried in the recess at the forward edge of the split rin 57.

yile the air pressure 'in chamber 39 is gathering force to press the detonator forwardly, the air which passes through passage 40 in the detonator into the interior of tube 17 exerts pressure on the cartridge 61 to expel the plug 58 at the forward end of tube 44 and the split ring 57, which falls away.

`The telescoping tubes of the pilot device Meo thereupon move forwardly into the operative position shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, tube 17 moving forwardly with the detonator until it is stopped by the engagement of the forward edge 48 of the detonator with the rear surface ofthe stop ring 45. The pressure of the compressed air upon the cartridge 61 will .at about the same time cause tube 53, togetner with block 56, toA move forwardly relative to tube 17, until the ring 54 at the end of tube 53 engages the rear edge of sleeve 50, the latter moving forwardly with tube 17 to which it is secured, until the Vdetonator engages ring 45, as stated. Sleeve 52 is stopped by ring 59, through which enlargement 51 passes` When the hammer head 66 strikes the earth or other target, firing pin 62 is driven rearwardly into contact with the cap of .cartridge 60, causing bullet 61 to'be shot rearwardly throughtubes 53 and 17, the bullet striking the cap 15 of the detonator and causing the detonating charge, the booster charge and the main bursting charge 43 of the bomb to be fired successively. The bomb described is preferably formed in such a manner that the parts may very readilyr be assembled or taken apart, so that the device may be shipped in knocked-down condition. The stabilizing. vanes 4 are preferably secured to the vtube 5 to extend radially therefrom by means of removable clamping devices, such as are shown in Fig. 4. The tube 5 may be provided adjacent its upper end with a securing means consisting ofa number .of metal strips 67, 67, four of these strips being provided, if thereare to be four stabilizing vanes, strips 67 having their ends bent radially outward, as shown at 68. Strips 67 may be secured to tube 5 in any desired manner, and together form a ring-like structure with radial openings provided between the adjacent flanges 68. A

similar construction is provided at a lower point on tube 5 where the strips 67 are shown `as having radially-extending endflanges 68. The stabilizing vanes 4 are mounted in position by extending their inable removable means.

ner edges between. the adjacent anges or lugs 68, 68, and 678- and 68 'whereupon screws 69, 69 are extended through suitable openings in the flanges 68, 68', and in the vanes 4. y

The stream line section 3 of the bomb vreferred to comprises `a pair of sheet steel members 31, 32, bent to shape to form a complete closure for the tubes 5 and 7 betweenthe explosive chamber section 1 and the lower edges of the stabilizing vanes 4. These members are given a circular crosssection which decreases from the forward to the rear ends of the members so as to preserve the stream line form of the bomb. Tube'5 is providedwith a fixed collar 70, against the upper edge of which the lower edges of the stabilizing vanes 4 may abut. The casing member 41 of the explosive chamber 1 is offset inwardly adjacent its upper edge to provide a shoulder 71 against which the lower edges of members 31, 32 may be seated.

The members 31, 32 are mounted in position before the vanes 4 are positioned, members 31, 32 being placed in position oh shoul der 71 to form a complete closure, after which they may be secured to the explosive chamber section and the tube 5A by any suit- A convenient means consists of the metal band 72 which may be slipped downwardly over the me-mbers 31, 32, into position toclamp the same firmly against the upper portion of casing member 41, members 31, 32 being f the greatest diameter at this point. Band 72 may be secured in position by providing the same with lugs 73 extending upwardly from the upper edge of the band and providing members- 31, 32 with slits 74, through which lugs .-73 may be driven when the band has been placed in position. The upper ends of members 31, 32 may be secured in position by fiaring the upper ends of the same slightlyoutwardly, these ends resting in contact with the lower surface of collar 70. A wire 75 may then be passed around members 31, 31'below their fflaring upper edges and twisted or secured together. l

1n assembling the'devices, it will be no ted that the container 20 issecured to block 21 which is separable from tube 6. The cap holder 27 is first positionedin its recess at the upper end of tube 6, after which the explosive material 29 may be placed in its chamber and the plunger 24 put in the position shown in Fig. 2, in which it is secured by set screw 26. Plunger 35 is then slipped into tubular extension23 of tube 6 and located at the. proper point 'by inserting the end of wire 38 through the alined openings in tubular member 23 and the plunger 35, or bytemporarily extending a p'in through the alined openings. Spring 36 may then be placed in position and compressed by screwing cap 37 on the end of the tubular extension 23. vThe container 2O is then mounted in position in tube 6 by screwing block 21 in position therein, after which tube 6 may be secured in position on tube 5 by screwing enlargement 18 into position on the end of tube 5, the detonator having previously been mounted in the positionposition, a compressed gas container, means adapted to puncture said container, means for operating said last namedmeans, and confining means adapted to cause the gas which issues from said container to increasingly press against said detonator until the same is moved, and to force the same into firing position.

2. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge,'a tube lead- `ing into proximity to said charge, a detonator mounted in said tube and normally held at a distance from said' charge, but movable toward firing position, 'under the application of sufficient pressure, a closure in said tube having a restricted opening therethough, a fluid container, and means, operable automatically when the bomb is launched, to cause fluid under pressure to pass from said container through said opening and press upon saiddetonator, axially of said tube` with a pressure steadily increasing from its first application, until said detonator is moved toward firing position.

3. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge` a tube extending rearwardly from said charge, a detonator mounted therein, normally held at a distance from said charge, but movable toward firing position, under the application of sufficient pressure, said tube having a fixed extension, rearwardly of said detonator, a compressed gas container in said extension, and means, movable into coperative relation to said container, to cause compressed gas to ow from said container` lill said extension, and press upon said detonator with a steadily increasing pressure, until said detonator is moved toward irin'g position.

4. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge, means normally held in inoperative 'position` and adapted to move into position tdarm the bomb, a compressed gas container, means forzpuncturing the same and means for so confining l'and directing gas released from the container as to cause it to force said firstnamed means, after a time interval, into position to arm the bomb.

5. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge, means normally held in inoperative position, and adapted to move into position to arm the bomb, a compressed gas container` means for releasing gas therefrom. comprising a member normally out of relation to said container and movable relatively thereto to cause the release of gas therefrom, and means for thus moving said member, and directing and conlining means for causing released gas to force said first-named means, after a time interval, into position to arm the bomb.

6. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing `an explosive charge, a pilot dcvice therefor, ,normally held within `the bomb, and adapted to be forwardly extended, a compressed gas container` means for puncturing the same, and directingand confining means for causing gas released from the container to force said pilot device into forwardly extended position'.

containing an explosive charge, a. pilot device therefor, normally held within the bomb, and adapted to be forwardly extended, a compressed gas container," means for releasing'gas therefrom, comprising a member normally out of relation to said container and movable relativelycthereto to cause the release of gas therefrom, and means for thas moving said member operable when the bomb is launched, and means for so conini'ng and directing released gas as to cause the latter to force said pilot device, after a time interval, into forwardly extended position.

8. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an 'explosive charge, a ltube extending therein, a pilot device normally contained in said tube and adapted to be forwardly extended after the bomb has been launched, said tube having a fixed rearward said extension, means adapted to cause compressed gas to iiow from said container so as to fill said extension, and press said pilot device, after a time interval, into its forwardly extended position and means for opy erating said last named means.

9. 'In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge, means normally held in inoperative position, and adapted to be moved into operative relation to said charge, a compressed gas container, and means for releasing gas therefrom to cause the movement of said first-named means into pperative position, comprising, a Vtubular member containing said container,

a plunger mounted therein for movement toward said container, to release gas therefrom,

. and normally inactive means for thus mov- 11. In a bomb, the combination of a tube,`

A having a closure therein with a restricted opening therethrough, a compressed gas container beyond the closure, a plunger beyond the container, adapted for movement to release gas therefrom, and means for thus moving said plunger comprising an explosive charge and i'iring means therefor.

12. In a bomb, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge, a tube extendingrearwardly therefrom, a detonatortherein, ra tube removably, secured to the rear of said rst tube, in fixed relation thereto and connecting therewith, a compressed gas container, means in said second tube for causing compressed gas to iiow from said contamer to exert pressure on said detonator to move the same in said first tube, and means carried by said second tube to actuate said irst-named means, operable automatically when the bomb is launched.

13; In a bomb, the combination of a tube, a closure member therein adjacent one'end, having a restricted opening therethrough, a compressed gas container carried by said member, a plunger normally mounted to the rear of said container, and means to the rear of said plunger, operable to move said plunger to release gas from'said contalner.

14:. Ina bomb, the combination of a tubular casing containing an explosive chamber,

a tube extending rearwardly` therefrom, of lless diameter than said casing, and having a collar thereon, some distance rearwardly7 from said casing, stabilizing vanes removably secured to said tube, extending rearwardly from said collar, and a casin of diminishing cross-section extending from said first casing into abutment With said collar, said second casing having a plurality of longitudinally separated sections removabyef secured to said first casing and to said tu 15. In a bomb, adapted to be dropped from an aircraft, having a part adapted to be moved by compressed gas, the combination of a tube, a closed gas container therein`v a plunger in said tube, adapted for movement toward said container to release gas therefrom, means for thus moving said plunger, and means for normally holding said last means inoperative, comprising a removable wire ladapted to be secured to an aircraft from which the bomlb is to be dropped.

16. In a bomb adapted to bedropped from an aircraft, the combination of a body containing an explosive charge, means normally held in inoperative posltion and. adapted to move into position to arm the bomb, a

compressed gas container1 means for releasing gas therefrom, comprising a4 member 

